The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s series of attacks across Iraq, which killed more than 90 people and wounded hundreds:

“Canada deplores the series of deadly car bombings and attacks that took place across Iraq yesterday, targeting innocent civilians, emergency service workers and Iraqi security personnel.

“Canada strongly condemns these criminal acts, which seek to undermine the Iraqi people’s efforts to promote peace and reconciliation. These senseless and shameful acts of violence cannot deter Iraqi efforts to establish a secure, stable and unified democracy.

“On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of those killed in today’s attacks. Our thoughts are with the Iraqi people.

“We stand firmly with the government and people of Iraq as they work together to advance democracy and the rule of law. Canada encourages timely certification of the March 7 election results and steady progress toward the establishment of a new government that represents the interests of all Iraqis.”